It is obvious from the escalating levels of violence, massacre of innocent civilians, war crimes… in South Sudan that some urgent steps need to be taken to save the country. (See Massacre of Civilians in South Sudan ).
France and the US have called for the United Nations Security Council to consider sanctions against South Sudan over rising violence in the country’s civil war. US ambassador, Samantha explained US’s position in a closed door meeting of the 15 member Council.
France’s Gerard Araud told reporters before the session on Wednesday that it was time
to think about sanctions against those responsible.
Nigerian Ambassador, Joy Ogwu said, “They can violate the sanctity of the UN institutions and kill people inside those institutions? It’s intolerable. It should not happen.”
The UN Security Council has said last Thursday’s attack on a UN base which killed at least 58 people may constitute a WAR CRIME.
On Tuesday, the White House expressed horror at the abomination of the violence in South Sudan, where rebels have been accused of massacring hundreds of civilians.
Rebels seized the oil hub of Bentiu last week, unleashing two days of ethnic slaughter as they hunted down civilians sheltering in mosques, churches and a hospital, butchering dozens on the roadside, according to the UN.
Images released by the United Nations show piles of bloated, decomposing bodies, a repeat of mass killings seen in other areas
of the country during the past four months. The UN said the killings continued for almost two days after the rebels proclaimed
victory in Bentiu, and that the rebels had used radio broadcasts to stir violent ethnic sentiment.
The situation in South Sudan is very very disturbing. The UN security council voted in December for more troops to be brought in but actually, only a few have arrived. France and US have called for sanctions, while Nigeria didn’t make any direct statement as regards sanctions. The vital question then becomes: How far can these sanctions go in restoring peace and stability in South Sudan and stop all the senseless killings and massacre of civilians?